Dear Maryland Foxchasers:

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is currently in the process of adopting its hunting and trapping regulations for the 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 seasons.

This is to alert you that DNR is considering a potentially harmful regulation change that would extend the shooting season for red and gray foxes.  The current seasons and proposed changes are as follows:

• Charles and Dorchester Counties:  August 1 – July 31 (all year).  No change.

• That portion of the state east of the Chesapeake Bay and the Susquehanna River, except Dorchester County:  November 16 – January 30.  Change:  Season would remain open until February 15.

• That portion of the state west of the Bay and the Susquehanna, except Charles County:  November 2 – January 19.  Change:  Season would remain open until February 15.

DNR’s rationale:  This would afford additional recreational opportunities to predator hunters that are otherwise hunting coyotes at this time.  

The Maryland Association for Wildlife Conservation (MAWC) is working hard to ensure that these regulation changes are not adopted but we need your help!  DNR is accepting public comment until 4:00 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2010.  You can submit your comments via email, postal mail, telephone, or fax to:

Paul A. Peditto, Director, DNR Wildlife and Heritage Service, Tawes State Office Building, E-1, Annapolis, MD 21401;  Phone  410-260-8540 or 1-877-620-8DNR, ext 8540; Fax  410-260-8596;  or, Online http://www.dnr.state.md.us/wildlife/comments/Hunt_Proposal.asp and then click on “How to Comment on the Proposed Regulations.”

I have included a sample letter below if you would like to use it to form your comments.  Please remember to be polite and brief.

Dear Mr. Peditto:

I am writing to voice my opposition to DNR’s  proposal to extend the shooting season for red and gray fox.  The proposal could endanger the fox population by allow the killing of foxes during their gestation/birthing period.  Hunters cannot determine if a vixen is pregnant.  If they kill a pregnant vixen, they are also killing an average of five pups.

To my knowledge, there is no overpopulation of fox in the State of Maryland that would warrant expanding the shooting season, and I disagree with the rationale that this would result in more coyotes being killed.  The current regulations seem to work, so why change them. 

Therefore, I respectfully request that DNR protect this resource - by not adopting this proposed regulation change - so that we all may continue to have good sport in the future.

Sincerely,